--- /usr/local/sbin/portmaster	2018-02-18 05:51:18.602136000 -0800
+++ /tmp/portmaster	2018-03-10 13:33:02.873383000 -0800
@@ -3250,7 +3250,7 @@
 fi
 
 # Test for necessary privileges to actually install ports
-[ "$($PM_SU_CMD id -u)" = 0 ] || fail "Insufficient privileges to install ports (run as root or set PM_SU_CMD)"
+[ -n "$FETCH_ONLY" -o "$($PM_SU_CMD id -u)" = 0 ] || fail "Insufficient privileges to install ports (run as root or set PM_SU_CMD)"
 
 # Do these things first time through
 if [ -z "$PM_INDEX_ONLY" -a -z "$PM_BUILDING" -a -z "$SHOW_WORK" -a -z "$NO_ACTION" ]; then